# Siberian Crane's-bill (*Geranium sibiricum*)

The Siberian Crane's-bill is a pretty plant with lovely pink flowers. It grows in cool places and can be found in meadows and forests. Its leaves are shaped like little hands!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Forests

![Siberian Crane's-bill](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Geranium_sibiricum2.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Barsa, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Geranium_sibiricum2.jpg)

## Appearance

The Siberian Crane's-bill has slender, spreading stems bearing deeply lobed, palmate green leaves. Its small, five-petaled flowers are typically lilac-pink to pale purple, often with darker veins, and bloom singly or in pairs.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Geraniales
- **Family:** Geraniaceae
- **Genus:** Geranium

## Interesting facts

- Its unique seed capsules resemble a long crane's beak before they burst open!
- This hardy plant can survive really cold winters and even spread rapidly.
- Though named 'Siberian,' it grows naturally all across Europe and Asia!
- You might find its flowers attracting all sorts of busy bees and tiny flies!

## Special abilities

- **Seed Flinger:** Siberian Crane's-bill can launch its seeds with a spring-like action from special fruit pods, helping it spread far and wide.
- **Tough Survivor:** Siberian Crane's-bill has strong roots and stems that help it grow in poor soils and disturbed areas, like roadsides.
- **Shade Seeker:** Siberian Crane's-bill can thrive in partially shaded spots, allowing it to grow where other sun-loving plants struggle.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 20-50 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Collects nectar and pollen
- **Pollinates:** White-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus lucorum*) — Visits flowers for nectar
- **Pollinates:** [Common drone fly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-drone-fly) (*Eristalis tenax*) — Helps spread pollen between flowers

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
- [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage.
- [Fall Color](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fall-color): Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.
- [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch wild plants unless a grown-up says it's okay.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Siberian Crane's-bill?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Siberian Crane's-bill?

20-50 cm

### How wide does Siberian Crane's-bill spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Siberian Crane's-bill?

1-2 cm

### When does Siberian Crane's-bill bloom?

Summer

### Is Siberian Crane's-bill edible?

No

### Is Siberian Crane's-bill toxic?

None

### What is Siberian Crane's-bill's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Siberian Crane's-bill: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/siberian-cranes-bill)